Frequently Asked Questions

The $40M request in 2016 was hastily assembled when the OSCIM grant became available, with insufficient time to explain the need. The $108M request in 2018 was better prepared but still lacked community consultation.

This time, the Facilities Advisory Committee has met for about 20 months, carefully examining needs and developing alternatives. About 25 community meetings have been held to gather input. Construction costs have also increased significantly – waiting longer will only cost more.

If there were just a few issues, we could address them individually. But there are many interconnected problems, and addressing any one still leaves all the others along with aging infrastructure.

Replacement parts aren't always available for aging equipment. Even an extensive remodel would leave us with an old building core and foundation. It is simply not cost-effective to remodel a 55-year-old building with so many fundamental issues.

The best time to build was 5-10 years ago when costs were lower. The next best time is now. If we wait, construction costs will continue to rise (historically about 5.5% per year) and facilities will continue to deteriorate.

We've been fortunate to receive approval for a $6 million state construction grant (OSCIM) that we'll receive if voters approve the bond. Since this grant is awarded by lottery, it should be considered a one-time opportunity we cannot afford to miss.

The bond rate is $2.75 per $1,000 of assessed value. Here are some examples:

Note: Assessed value is often lower than market value. Use our calculator to look up your exact assessed value.

Several factors increase school construction costs:

• Schools must pay prevailing wage rates (governmental requirement)
• Schools must be built to higher standards than homes due to heavy daily use by children
• Schools must comply with many regulations and codes that don't apply to homes
• Florence is small and rural – supplies, equipment, and specialized labor must come from Eugene or Portland

For comparison: Average Oregon home construction costs $175-350/sq ft. School construction in rural Oregon costs approximately $748/sq ft.

The numbers provided are the "high water mark." With projected community growth, a larger tax base will result in lower monthly costs for all taxpayers. This happened with the middle school bond.

New or upgraded schools require some sacrifice, but the benefits to our community are significant. Quality schools attract more families and professionals, strengthen property values, and provide facilities that benefit everyone.

We live in the Cascadia Subduction Zone, a 700-mile fault line off the Pacific Northwest coast. Scientists estimate there is a 37% chance of an earthquake measuring 7.1 or greater in the next 50 years.

The high school cannot withstand an earthquake beyond 3.5-4 magnitude without significant damage – well below the expected magnitude of a Cascadia event and well below current building codes. Is that a chance we want to take with our children?

The FEC is useful for occasional evening performances, but it's not practical for everyday school use. The FEC has never been used between the bells for a school function.

Access requires busing – a 45-minute assembly at the FEC takes advance planning and at least one class period on either side (students miss 2+ classes). It also requires about 7 buses with associated costs (drivers, fuel, scheduling), plus the FEC rental is expensive even with a school discount.

The gym is not a good alternative either – poor acoustics and uncomfortable seating make it unsuitable for anything other than sports and pep rallies.

The district has an excellent track record. The middle school facility was completed and the bond retired early. There is currently no outstanding facilities debt. Even modular buildings were paid from operating funds, not bonds.

Many people will oversee projects of this magnitude, including district personnel, a trusted architect, and a committee of community leaders. The buildings will be functional and healthy – not monuments.

• Attract families and professionals – including medical providers who want quality schools for their children
• Increase the tax base – more residents means lower individual tax burden over time
• Community centerpiece – top-notch schools show visitors Florence is a great place to live
• Community facilities – accessible gym and auditorium for meetings and events
• Emergency shelter – a modern, seismically safe facility can serve as a shelter for our coastal community
• Reduce traffic – new location will significantly reduce traffic on Oak Street

By supporting schools, you're supporting the future of Florence, Dunes City, and the surrounding area. Our children are our community's future.

Quality schools help attract more professionals to the community, create a more vibrant economy, and broaden the tax base. Some new facilities will also directly benefit the larger community as gathering spaces. Strong schools strengthen property values for everyone.

The need will not go away. It grows with each passing year as facilities age. Meanwhile, costs continue to increase – construction costs have been rising about 5.5% annually.

In 2018, a replacement high school was expected to cost about $88 million. Today we're asking for significantly more. We must continue to ask, for our children and our community's future – but each year we'll be asking for more money to accomplish the same purpose.